LIVE SCAN FINGERPRINTING

What Is Live Scan Fingerprinting?

﻿Live Scan fingerprinting is the technique and technology used to capture fingerprints electronically. It replaces the more traditional method of ink and paper. The fingerprints are electronically transmitted to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for a criminal record check. A response is then sent to the agency requesting the Live Scan. If required the DOJ forwards the Live Scan fingerprints to the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI). Through Live Scan fingerprinting background clearances can be processed within a few days instead of weeks it requires for traditional fingerprinting.

Live Scan fingerprinting is used to reveal criminal history information for identification, employment and licensing purposes by matching fingerprints and other identifying information to existing data files for an individual.﻿

How Does The Process Work?

The agency or employer requesting the Live Scan fingerprint will provide the applicant with the Request for Live Scan Form. At the Live Scan location a trained and certified technician will scan your fingerprints with a Live Scan fingerprint scanner. The scanning process takes around 5 to 10 minutes. Immediately following the fingerprints are electronically transmitted to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for background processing. All appropriate fees will be collected from the applicant by the technician. Then Live Scan Technician will give you two (2) copies of the Live Scan Request Form after the prints are taken. Return one (1) of those copies to the agency that has requested the Live Scan. The other copy is for your records.

What Do I Need To Bring To A Live Scan Done?

A Live Scan Request Form . The form is given to the applicant by the agency requesting the Live Scan and must be completed by the agency and applicant.

A valid government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license or passport.

﻿The fee for Live Scan consist of the rolling fee for the fingerprinting and the background investigation fee. The background investigation fee depends on the level of service and is charged by the Department of Justice (DOJ) Additionally if your requesting agency asked for an FBI background check, an FBI fee will be due unless your employer provides you with a billing number.

Applicant Fee(s) – By Government Level of Live Scan Service(As of 3/19/2012)﻿

Once I have my fingerprints taken will they always be on file with the Government?

No. Once your fingerprint record has been processed and your suitability for certification, licensing, employment and/or volunteerism have been reported to your Referring Agency, your fingerprint record is deleted. The only civilian fingerprint records kept are those belonging to convicted felons.

If I’ve already had Live Scan fingerprints taken and I have changed jobs, do I need to be fingerprinted again?

Yes, for two reasons. One, by law, licensing agencies, organizations and/or companies may not share applicant background information; it’s against your right to privacy. Two, once your background information is sent to the Referring Agency, the Department of Justice deletes your fingerprint record – - there is no record to “share” with your new employer/licensing agency.

How Do I Check My Live Scan Results?

You can check your fingerprinting results by calling the Department of Justice's 24-hour automated telephone service at(916) 227-4557. You will need your birth date and the 10-digit Automated Transaction (ATI) number which is located at the bottom of the Applicant Live Scan Request Form. The ATI number always appears in the following sequence: 1 letter; 3 numbers; 3 letters and 3 numbers.

How Long Does It Take To Get My Live Scan Results?

﻿The Department of Justice (DOJ) usually processes Live Scan fingerprinting within minutes. Delays may occur. For any significant delays the DOJ will contact the requesting agency. The results are either emailed or sent to the requesting agency listed on the Request for Live Scan Service Form. Once the Live Scan process has been completed, please contact the agency handling your employment or licensing with all inquiries.﻿